Recently, I noticed the locomotive model was changed on one of my photos from being C44-9W, to C40-8W. Without having a locomotive roster, and not being able to read this information on the cab of the locomotive, it appeared to be a Dash 9... is there a way to visualy tell the difference?

Not proclaiming to know everything, (b/c believe me, I sure don't) but a quick and common way to spot the difference between the Dash-8 and Dash-9 is in the style of truck. (though I'm sure there HAS to be an exception that will get pointed out)

I'm not sure of the name, but the dash 9's have a 'blockier' look about them. I think they have improved rail adhesion, or something like that...

also the other 2spot light that are together in the dash 8 its in the nose.but in the dash 9 its between the number boards in the top of the loco.
i hope that all of yours understand me as i think that couldnot explain it very well.

__________________
mohamed
bnsf-born 2 fight
big boy 4-8-8-4 ''best of the west''
(if you like an idea,thought alot in it and worked hard for it.you will get it) click here 2 c my pix @ rp.net

also the other 2spot light that are together in the dash 8 its in the nose.but in the dash 9 its between the number boards in the top of the loco.

True, but that locomotive is a Dash 9-40CW which is used primarely by NS. A BNSF Dash 9 has the main headlight on the nose.

That's just railroad preference. Conrail had Dash 8's with the high headlight. Headlight placement isn't exactly a spotting feature.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccaranna

but a quick and common way to spot the difference between the Dash-8 and Dash-9 is in the style of truck. (though I'm sure there HAS to be an exception that will get pointed out)

Leave it to me to point out the exception. CSX has Dash 9's with the old style FB-3 truck. They're in the 9000 series. Other than that, the trucks are pretty much the easiest way to tell the difference.

The central air intake, the intake along the top of the hood behind the cab, is considerably smaller on the Dash 9 than on the Dash 8. Compare these pictures of Union Pacific Dash 8s and Dash 9s to see what I mean.

Simply become familiar with the road numbers of your favorite railroad. NS has their locomotives numbered pretty well I might add; as least as far as the GE's are concerned. (EMD's aren't too bad) Once you remember what numbers a certain locomotive class begins and ends, you're in pretty good shape. Just doing a little homework and research makes spotting a WHOLE lot easier. Oh, and did I mention having a couple of good reference books at your side helps, too?

Simply become familiar with the road numbers of your favorite railroad. ... Once you remember what numbers a certain locomotive class begins and ends, you're in pretty good shape. Just doing a little homework and research makes spotting a WHOLE lot easier. Oh, and did I mention having a couple of good reference books at your side helps, too?

Yeah, those things help A LOT. But knowing some spotting features of various locomotive types helps in identifying locomotives of railroads you aren't as familiar with. It also helps as a gut check when railroads renumber locomotives (i.e. UP's SD60Ms).

The fuel tanks on DASH 8's only have one beveled edge, as the DASH 9's have two.

The trucks are probably the easiest to identify if it's moving at speed.

DASH 8's have the GE version of the "Flexicoil" (I believe GE calls them FB-3's) non-steerable trucks and DASH 9's have the steerable GE Hi-Ad (High-Adhesion) "roller blade" trucks.

The "Hi-Ad" trucks on the DASH-9s are not the GE "steerable" trucks; GE's steerable trucks are those awkward looking things CSX has on a lot of their GEs with the link in the middle. See the linked pic: